SAN FRANCISCO - Barry Bonds had surgery to remove bone chips from his troublesome left elbow that caused the San Francisco slugger pain and swelling throughout this season.

Bonds, who had the operation Monday, said he expects to be ready to resume his offseason workout regimen later this month.

“As soon as I heal in the next few weeks, I will begin my offseason training,” Bonds said Wednesday in a posting on his Web site, www.barrybonds.com.

Meanwhile, Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, said Wednesday he still hopes to begin discussions with the Giants soon about a new contract for Bonds. The 42-year-old Bonds is one of 11 potential free agents on the team, and general manager Brian Sabean is still in the process of evaluating who the club might want to bring back.

Among the first things on Sabean’s list is hiring a new manager, after the club cut ties with Felipe Alou after the season.

“I remain optimistic,” Borris said in a telephone interview. “I’m curious about a lot of things, but time will tell.”

Borris said he was scheduled to meet with Bonds on Thursday.

On Monday, Giants owner Peter Magowan said if Bonds does return he no longer will be the centerpiece of the franchise as he was in his first 14 seasons in San Francisco.

Bonds’ $90 million, five-year contract is expiring, though he has said he would like to return to the Giants next year — his 22nd in the big leagues and likely his last season.

Bonds has 734 home runs, 22 away from breaking Hank Aaron’s career record of 755, and is eligible for free agency after the World Series. After missing all but 14 games in 2005 following three operations on his right knee, Bonds batted .270 with 26 homers and 77 RBIs in 367 at-bats in 2006.

The seven-time NL MVP sure doesn’t sound convinced he will play again for the Giants. The slugger cleared out everything in his locker Sunday, including the nameplate above his space.

“I want to say thank you to the city of San Francisco for another great season!” he wrote on his site. “The Bay Area is my home and there are no better fans anywhere. From my first game with the Giants in 1993 to my last game on Sunday, I have shared many memories with the fans throughout my career. As for my fans across the country, I’d like to thank you for your support as well.”

The Giants have said Bonds would have to take a pay cut to stay — and they won’t re-sign Bonds just to put fans in the seats at their waterfront ballpark, which hosts next year’s All-Star game.

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Bonds seemed more comfortable this season, especially after he passed Babe Ruth with his 715th home run on May 28. Once he got by the Babe, the national media attention diminished and so did the constant questions about his alleged steroid use. Bonds posed for the team photo for a change and could be seen stretching with teammates more often.

Still, the Giants missed the playoffs for the third straight year with their second consecutive losing season.

“Although our team didn’t make it to the postseason, I want my teammates to know this was the best group of guys I have ever played with,” Bonds wrote. “There were a lot of things going on around me this season and my teammates came together and stood behind me. I will never forget that.

“I had a lot of fun this year — from spring training to our last game of the season — and the clubhouse environment had so much to do with it.”